Name: President John Adams
Birth-Death Date: October 30, 1735 - July 4, 1826
Political Party: Federalist
Terms of Office: 1 (March 4, 1797 - March 4, 1801)
Vice President: Thomas Jefferson

As the second President of the United States, John Adams deserves a B for his presidency. He had a very independent mind that made independent choices which left him politically isolated. He was said to have won the election because he basically went along with Washington's administration and was able to win two electoral votes. He was a very smart and intellectual man as well as a Harvard lawyer. As president of America, he was only focused on foreign affairs and keeping to Washington's policies.

When John Adams stepped into office, his main focus was on France and how to stay out of the wars between France and the British. After the Jay Treaty though, the French became angry and suspended commercial relations. Another goal of Adams was to protect the policies of Washington by stressing out civic values and republican values. Adams also wanted Congress to appropriate funds for defensive measures like coastal defensive, the augmentation of the Navy, and the creation of a provisional army. Even though Adams goal was to keep America independent and out of wars and such, he always had critics and other politicians opposing him.

Before Adams was elected, his relations with Congress went well because he went along with the decisions made by Congress. Even though Adams was an opponent of slavery, he did not protest when Congress cut out Jefferson's condemnation of slavery from the Decloration because he believed that independence was more important. Congress sent Adams to France in 1778 to aid in negotaiting an alliance but Franklin had finished the negotiations. Then Congress sent Adams again to France to lead in peace negotiations woth Britian but he was frustrated with Congress because they ignored his advice, so instead he went to the Netherlands to negotiate loans for Washington's army. Adams also left Congress to take care of domestic issues while he focused on foreign affairs. He had to deal with XYZ Affair in which the French demanded huge bribes that led to serious threats of war with France and embarrassed the Jeffersonians who were friends with the French. He then called on Congress to fund a navy. The funding led to the Federalist Congress enacting heavy stamp and house taxes. Congress also passed the Alien and Sedition Acts which cancelled treaties of alliance and commerce with France.

The action of Adam's administration that had the most positive action was focusing on foreign policy and staying out of the war between the French and the British. This was a positive action that was made because America was close to each side. The French were the ones who help secure American independence from Britian and were also the ones who taught us how to fight and defend against the experienced British. The British were also the ones who somewhat helped formed the unified nation we are today.

The Alien and Sedition Acts were definitely the most negative action made by Adam and his administration. There was a lot of incidents after those Acts were brought about and also led to the cause of the undeclared Quasi-War. This was claimed to protect Americans from attacks that would weaken the government; but the only thing that was weakened was the Federalist powers which caused Adams to lose in the second election against Jefferson because the Acts were said to be unconstitutional.

Adams had little to none impact on future generations and administrations. He was basically there in office to protect Washington's policy in which everyone adored. He was not a very influential person either but just a intellectual and independent politician. He also did not have a wow factor like the other presidents before and after him. He just helped Americans in their rightful way to keep thier independence and peace.

Even though Adams had some ups and downs during his presidency, he ruled during many wars which were not easy to stay out off. He should be recommended for keeping Americans out of the Wars between the French and the British and using his keen, independent mind to negotiate between countries. Though he did what he did, he deserves a B for creating the Alien and Sedition Acts. This caused a major issue in the discussion of politics and future elections. The country was better off after his presidency because the Federalist had now weakened after the death of Washington's support and was ready to welcome President Jefferson.